Straily sent down, Moss to rejoin A’s

As expected, Dan Straily was demoted after the game – despite a strong performance that included a career-high 11 strikeouts – in order to make room for Bartolo Colon, who returns from his steroid suspension tomorrow and pitches here tomorrow evening.

A’s manager Bob Melvin called it “probably the best we’ve seen Dan pitch here. … He knew what was going on and that was weighing on his mind, but he was able to put that away and perform as well as he has here.”

“It’s something I’ve thought about,” Straily said. “I tried not to, but I can do basic math. I’m the youngest guy and the least experienced, so I’ll go down and do some work and see you later. I still feel pretty good about today. It’s hard to feel down.”

One key to Straily’s evening: He watched tape from Yu Darvish’s near perfect-game against Houston on Monday.

“It’s not like we have similar stuff, but to see how a right-handed pitcher throws against them, if he gets so-and-so with a fastball up or a slider in, get a better game plan,” Straily said.

Brandon Moss also will be rejoining the A’s tomorrow after missing one game – it sounds as if the birth of his second child isn’t expected quite as quickly as originally expected, so he’s coming back to the team until his wife, Allison, goes into labor. Shane Peterson will go back to Triple-A Sacramento tomorrow when Moss gets here.

Coco Crisp played nearly the entire way with back stiffness after trying to make a diving catch in the first inning; it loosened up as the game went along, and Crisp had two doubles afterward (and a homer before the diving attempt) and nearly a single up the middle except Jose Altuve was standing in the right spot and jumped to get it.

Crisp will get checked when he gets to the ballpark tomorrow to make sure there’s no lingering back tightness. Know the A’s caution with any physical issues and the fact that they have five everyday type players four three outfield spots and the DH spot, my guess is Crisp might get a day off to get treatment for his back if needed.

Former A’s prospect Brad Peacock pitched for Houston and allowed three hits, three walks and two runs in 4 1/3 innings.